Commander on Foot c. 17th century

Curator: Jacques Callot's "Commander on Foot," residing here at Harvard, is a tiny etching. It's just a few inches, quite a contrast to the grand subjects it depicts. Editor: It feels both epic and intimate. The commander’s pose – so assured, yet he's surrounded by chaos. The smoke, the fallen figures…a strange beauty in destruction. Curator: Callot was a master of etching, and this shows his skill. Notice the detail he achieves, despite the scale. The lines are so precise, creating depth and texture. Editor: And the implication! This commander is just one man, but he’s directing this horrific scene. It makes you wonder about the weight of command, the cost of ambition. He looks almost detached, doesn't he? Curator: Perhaps Callot is commenting on the distance between those who wage war and those who suffer from it. The politics of imagery are powerful, especially here. Editor: Yes, something about that distance resonates even today. It feels like a timeless reflection on power and its consequences. A small but mighty piece.